Wound Autofluorescence Imaging for Real-Time Bacterial Load Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical wound assessment methods are suboptimal, relying on subjective visual inspection and bacteriological swabs that are diagnostically insensitive, delayed, and fail to provide real-time detection of bacterial infections, especially in chronic wounds, leading to delayed treatment and increased morbidity.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device that uses fluorescence imaging to detect bacterial autofluorescence in wounds, analyzing pixel intensity to determine bacterial load and track changes over time, providing real-time, non-invasive assessment of bacterial presence and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional visual inspection and swabbing methods are used for wound assessment, then the assessment process is simple and quick, but the diagnostic sensitivity is low and results are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical swabbing and visual inspection with fluorescence imaging technology. The handheld device uses fluorescence excitation to illuminate the wound and captures emitted fluorescence signals with an image sensor, enabling rapid detection of bacterial load and wound healing status without contact with the wound bed, thus achieving both high diagnostic sensitivity and immediate results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluorescence imaging as an intermediary diagnostic tool between traditional visual inspection and bacteriological culture. The fluorescence signals serve as a mediator that provides real-time information about bacterial presence and wound healing processes, bridging the gap between quick visual assessment and slow but accurate culture results.
2Loss of information
If subjective visual assessment is used, then the assessment method is simple and requires no special equipment, but it only provides a gross view and misses underlying biological changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes fluorescence color changes to reveal underlying biological information. Different wavelengths of fluorescence emission correspond to different biological molecules and wound healing processes, allowing the system to detect and quantify biological changes that are invisible to the naked eye while providing objective, quantifiable data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of fluorescence signal detection to traditional visual assessment. By capturing fluorescence emissions at different wavelengths and analyzing pixel intensity ratios, the system extracts multiple layers of biological information from the wound, transforming a two-dimensional visual inspection into a multi-dimensional diagnostic process.
3Measurement precision
If bacteriological swabs are collected indiscriminately, then sampling is simple and quick, but the results are delayed and often insensitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary fluorescence imaging assessment before collecting bacteriological swabs. The fluorescence images identify areas with high bacterial load, guiding the location and targeting of subsequent swabbing procedures. This preliminary action ensures that swabs are collected from the most relevant areas, improving detection accuracy while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluorescence imaging results as feedback to optimize bacteriological sampling strategies. The real-time fluorescence data provides information about bacterial distribution and density, allowing clinicians to adjust swabbing locations and techniques to maximize the diagnostic yield of subsequent culture results.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, rapid, and non-invasive detection of bacterial load and wound healing progression, guiding treatment decisions and reducing morbidity by integrating biologically relevant data into clinical wound management.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one light source emits at least one wavelength or wavelength band causing at least one biomarker in the illuminated portion of the target to fluoresce
Implementation Method 2
collecting bacterial autofluorescence data regarding the illuminated portion of the target with an image sensor of the digital camera
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining bacterial load in targets and tracking changes in bacterial load of targets over time are disclosed. An autofluorescence detection and collection device includes a light source configured to directly illuminate at least a portion of a target and an area around the target with excitation light causing at least one biomarker in the illuminated target to fluoresce. Bacterial autofluorescence data regarding the illuminated portion of the target and the area around the target is collected and analyzed to determine bacterial load of the illuminated portion of the target and area around the target. The autofluorescence data may be analyzed using pixel intensity. Changes in bacterial load of the target over time may be tracked. The target may be a wound in tissue.